Big Dental Tech of 2018

by CAO MarketingNovember 21, 2018

Technology in dentistry is constantly updating and changing. New tools can help dentists more effectively provide service to their patients or help patients better at-home oral care. This year has presented the market with new unique options for the industry. Here are three of the big technology advances for dentsits and their patients.

Digital impressions

Intraoral scanners are able to take digital impressions for virtual models and 3D printing of uniquely accurate dental models. Direct optical impressions have several advantages over conventional impressions. Because the plaster molds are no longer needed, optical impressions are more efficient, simple, and provide more information when the impressions are complex. This completely solves the issues of plaster mess, patient discomfort, and frees up the dental chair. Accuracy is also more attainable when it comes to creating implants, individual restorations or even 3-4 element bridges on natural teeth.

3D printing

While this technology has been around since the early 1980s, 3D printers are more readily available and affordable, dental labs are able to digitize complete workflows by printing asolid model. However, this beneficial tech for dental labs all depend on if dentists use intraoral scanning. These dental models are remarkably accurate creating the perfect tool for solving specific oral issues per patient. This can assist with crowns or bridge models, orthodontics, diagnostic models and even surgical guides.

Bluetooth Toothbrushes

The electric toothbrush is getting a tech update with the addition of Bluetooth. The biggest leader is Philips Sonicare with Oral B close behind. The Philip’s Sonicare FlexCare Platinum Connected brush has sensors in the handle for real-time tracking of patient brushing ability. Through the app, it creates a 3D virtual map of the mouth to identify brushing quality. The toothbrush will show if the patient is brushing too hard, provides a brushing time limit, and helps identify missed spots. The app also allows for the patient to set goals for areas that need more work or remind them to be more careful in areas recently worked on. If the patient or dentists desires, data can be compiled to report overall habits and success for patient brushing habits.

Comment below with your thoughts. Will these technologies make more of an impact in dentistry or will they fade out by next year? Don’t forget to follow us on Facebook and Twitter to get the latest updates.